Hello from Tokyo

[zubi]

Hello fellow Paddleduck enthusiasts,

I have just registered so I thought that I could quickly introduce myself.

In fact I am completely new to boats and in particular to paddleboats.
As it happens I have a good experience in live steam locomotives -  
if anyone here is interested in finding out more I include some links
to our steamups here in Tokyo:
http://my.reset.jp/%7Emr2666/untenkai2.html
http://album.nikon-image.com/nk/NK_AlbumList.asp?un=89738&key=513782
http://my.reset.jp/%7Emr2666/untenkai.html
http://photos.yahoo.co.jp/bc/musashirr/lst?&.dir=/%a3%b1%a3%b7%c7%af%a3%b1%a3%b0%b7%ee%a1%a1%cb%cc%ce%a2%c5%b4%c6%bb%b1%bf%c5%be%b2%f1%a1%a1KKRR&.src=ph&.begin=9999&.view=t&.order=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.co.jp/bc/musashirr/lst%3f%26.dir=/%25a3%25b1%25a3%25b7%25c7%25af%25a3%25b1%25a3%25b0%25b7%25ee%25a1%25a1%25cb%25cc%25ce%25a2%25c5%25b4%25c6%25bb%25b1%25bf%25c5%25be%25b2%25f1%25a1%25a1KKRR%26.src=ph%26.view=t
http://photos.yahoo.co.jp/bc/musashirr/lst?&.dir=/%a3%b1%a3%b7%c7%af%a3%b9%b7%ee++%cb%cc%ce%a2%c5%b4%c6%bb%b1%bf%c5%be%b2%f1&.src=ph&.begin=9999&.view=t&.order=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.co.jp/bc/musashirr/lst%3f%26.dir=/%25a3%25b1%25a3%25b7%25c7%25af%25a3%25b9%25b7%25ee%2b%2b%25cb%25cc%25ce%25a2%25c5%25b4%25c6%25bb%25b1%25bf%25c5%25be%25b2%25f1%26.src=ph%26.view=t

Although I live in Tokyo for over two years now I spent some 15 years
in the Netherlands and some 25 in Poland where I grew up, for some
long and boring historical intro please see:
http://postfix.45mm.com/pipermail/sslivesteam/1999-December/000486.html
 
The reason that I suddenly got hooked on paddleboats is the stern
wheel steamer that I recently saw on ebay. I was not in a position
to buy it - unfortunately the price was too high for me at the moment:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAGNIFICENT-LIVE-STEAM-PADDLE-STEAMER-51-LONG_W0QQitemZ5998877558QQcategoryZ14737QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
But I am determined to get one precisely the same in some future, I am  
trying to find out what is the prototype of the boat and who built this one.
I am also interested in contacting skilled builders who would be capable
of reproducing this model. So far I have found that this is a model built from
Zulu plans by  Ray Vine (who is Mr Ray Vine?) published by Model Boats
magazine under the Code: MM1329.  I have also found that this particular
boat sold on ebay came most likely from the region of Henley, as it was  
sold there at auction in July for the price of 500 pounds.  
(Bonham's auction item 329, Sale 11705 - Traditional rivercraft, rowing,  
marine and fishing, 16 Jul 2005 Henley) - you can find it if you google.
 
One thing that I would not want to reproduce if I ever get a chance to
commission this sternwheeler is the drive which I think is not prototypical.
What I mean is - the stern wheel on the real boat was apparently driven  
by the two cylinders on the sides of teh stern wheel. On the model  
a small steam engine drives geared shaft which powers the stern wheel
and the side cylinders look like dummies - but I am not sure - just guessing
I would be happy if anyone could verify and/or explain why this method was
used.  
 
Unfortunately, this is all I know and I may not be able to contact the new
owner for more information and more photos as the auction is private.
 
If any of you could provide me with more information about this particular
model or the prototype stern wheeler or about the builder or a potential
builder I would be most happy to hear it.

In the meantime while scanning the web I have found more interesting
boats - I am dedicated to live steam and this is the only method of powering
the boat that I am interested in.  For example I found one amazing steam
driven boat  built by Mr John Schofield:
www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/Shows/Midlands_2004/Imara/index.htm
This is a very impressive piece of engineering and I'd be happy to contact
this builder - if you know him I would appreciate any contact info.

Anyway, thanks for listening to this unusual intro,
I guess I should have posted parts of this intro in all separate
dedicated forums as my intro may not be read by many of you
and I may not easily get answers to my questions, but who knows.

I guess I will be mainly scanning the forum in the nearest
future as I need to learn a lot obviously...

Happy steaming - this is universal;^),
Zubi (Zbigniew Struzik)

[loserboy]

Nice to meet you Zubi

thanks for the links.

And,, i just wanted to say "WOW" with reguard your english,, it is much better than mine :wink:

[thewharfonline]

Didn't we all want that sternwheeler that appeared on E-bay?

[zubi]

Dear Dave,  
Thank you very much for reading my intro and checking the links!
I need to update them soon - we have new steam-ups every month,
plus some old photos have been removed.  
Thanks for complementing my English;^) You did it in a very  
convincing way, if English is your mother tongue, of course.
Probably my Polish is at least as good as yours, but I would
not be sure about my Dutch! And unfortunately, my Japanese
is non-existent and if you have any - yours must be much better;^))!!
Best wishes from Tokyo,
Zubi

[zubi]

Dear Warf, Of course we do!!
I believe that if someone started making the Zulu's  or even the
kits, quite a number would sell. While I prefer live steam of course,
the means of powering are secondary - making the actual boat is
the first challenge. Currently I cannot undertake it but thanks to
the kindness and generocity of Tony, a member of this forum
http://www.paddleducks.co.uk/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=26
I have now a full set of Zulu articles. I am still looking for the plans.
The original SteamBoat magazine plans seem to be sold out, so
if anyone knows how to get hold of them or if he/she woud be
so kind as to sell me their own / or a copy/ I would be most grateful.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi
PS since the Zulu in question (SAMARKAND) went to Australia,
you may come across it - I suppose this is not terribly likely but
more likely than for me in any case.

[PJ]

Hello Zubi:
 Â 
 Taubmann publishes a full 5-sheet set of  plans (MM-1329)  for "Zulu"  
 Â 
 "Extremely  detailed drawings of an Indian lake and river sternwheeler. Overall length is  50½ins.by 11 ins. Sheet one shows side and deck views; sheet 2 sectional  elevation and engine details; sheets three, four and five, cover details of  stern wheels, engines and other fittings. For experienced  modelers."
 Â 
 There is  a small picture of the model on their website and I believe this is the  sternwheeler you are looking for.  Mind you at US$55.00 these plans  are not inexpensive.  A similar set  came up on Ebay about 2 months ago and sold for US$25.00
 Â 
 You can  check them out at:
 Â http://www.taubmansonline.com/MMZULU.htm
 Â 
 Another  option is to put a request out on some of the model ship forums and see if there  is someone willing to sell you a set of plans  they no longer need.   Let me know if you need a list of groups.
 Â 
 Regards
 Â 
 PJ
 Victoria, BC Canada
 Â 
 

  I have now a full set of    Zulu articles. I am still looking for the plans.
The original SteamBoat    magazine plans seem to be sold out, so
if anyone knows how to get hold of    them or if he/she woud be
so kind as to sell me their own / or a copy/ I    would be most grateful.
Best wishes from Tokyo,  Zubi

[zubi]

Hello PJ,  
Thanks for the hints. I will first try Taubmann, I was kind of waiting for Model Boats - I ordered online and nothing happened - they still list the plans as available.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

[Eddy Matthews]

Hello PJ,  
Thanks for the hints. I will first try Taubmann, I was kind of waiting for Model Boats - I ordered online and nothing happened - they still list the plans as available.
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

Zubi, I don't know if your aware, but Highbury House who owned Model Boats magazine has been bought out by another company. So it may be some time until the plans service is restored.... Personally I'd try LoyalHanna Dockyard (who now own Taubman) as it will almost certainly be quicker.

[zubi]

Eddy, Thanks for the info. No I was not aware of that. I ordered a few months ago
but no money was deducted from my CC and no plans arrived, surprise, surprise...
Then I heard from Tony that the plans may actually be discontinued. Anyway,
I have now enquired at Taubmann. By the way, are these plans full size? Does  
anyone know if they are substantially (or at all) different from the plans included in  
the article series in the Model Boats magazine (which I now possess thanks to Tony)?
Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

[zubi]

OK, So I have just got a reply from them and the plans seem to be full size 1:1 that is 1:24 scale. Although the Zulu stern wheeler is about 51" long - I do not know where that one inch got lost...  Thanks for any help. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi

>From: LHDockyard@aol.com
>Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2006 08:41:14 EST
>Subject: Re: size of plans for ZULU ProductID: MM-1329
>
>Sir:
>
>It says that the plans are 50" x  11" which means the plans would be the same.
>
>Renee
>
>PAYPAL PAYMENTS - LHDockyard@aol.com
>LOYALHANNA DOCKYARD WEBSITE (Click Here)
>TAUBMAN PLANS WEBSITE (Click Here)
>LOYALHANNA DOCKYARD
>7527 GILBERT ROAD
>BERGEN, NY 14416
>
>(585) 494-0027
>(585) 494-1369 FAX